Kamil Perry
Gluten-free diets can be challenging to navigate, and cheese is no exception. While natural cheeses are typically gluten-free, processed cheese products often contain gluten as an additive. This makes it crucial for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to be cautious and read labels carefully. The good news is that there are plenty of gluten-free cheese options available, including popular varieties like cheddar, parmesan, gouda, brie, and blue cheese. Some brands, like Cypress Grove and Cabot Creamery, are known for their gluten-free offerings. Additionally, gluten-free cheese sauces can be made at home by substituting sweet rice flour for regular flour, creating a smooth and indulgent texture. For those seeking vegan options, there are also vegan cheeses made from nuts, tofu, root vegetables, and other ingredients.
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What You'll Learn
Gluten-free cheese alternatives
Most cheeses are naturally gluten-free, but some may contain gluten depending on how they are made or presented. For example, shredded cheese is usually gluten-free, but starch or cellulose may be added to prevent the shreds from sticking together, and this additive may contain gluten. Similarly, cheese spreads are usually gluten-free, but the ingredients used to create the spread's consistency or add flavouring may contain gluten.
Cheese that contains add-ins, as well as low-fat, low-salt, and fat-free cheese, are more likely to contain gluten. Gluten-containing ingredients are often used as thickeners or stabilizers to increase the shelf life of cheese. Some ingredients that may indicate gluten on a food label include hydrolyzed wheat protein, malt, food starch, powdered cellulose, artificial flavour, fillers, emulsifiers, and spice blends.
Therefore, it is important to read the labels of any cheese and cheese products. Some cheeses and cheese products that may have certain ingredients containing gluten added in include cottage cheese, blue cheese, and cheese spreads. Cottage cheese usually does not have gluten, but some brands may contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat. Blue cheese is usually gluten-free, but mold cultures may be grown on wheat or rye bread, so it is important to read the ingredients label. Cheese spreads are often gluten-free, but added ingredients to create consistency or add flavouring may contain gluten.
Some cheeses that are usually gluten-free include feta, goat, mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, ricotta, and Swiss cheese.
If you are looking for gluten-free cheese alternatives, there are non-dairy cheese alternatives, which are usually made from plant sources, such as soy or nuts. Some of these products are gluten-free, but others may contain ingredients with gluten, so be sure to read the label. Nutritional yeast is another non-dairy alternative to cheese. It can be sprinkled on top of dishes or added to sauces for a cheese-like flavour. Avocados can also be used as a naturally gluten-free alternative to cheese, adding flavour and a creamy texture to dishes.
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Gluten-free cheese products to avoid
While most cheeses are gluten-free, it is important to be cautious of processed cheese products that may contain gluten. Here are some gluten-free cheese products to avoid:
Cheese Spreads
Cheese spreads are usually gluten-free, but some brands may use gluten-containing ingredients to create the desired consistency or add flavouring. Always check the label to ensure the product is gluten-free, especially when purchasing cheese spreads.
Dairy-Free Cheese
Some dairy-free cheese alternatives are made with flour, which contains gluten. Therefore, it is important to scrutinize the ingredient list of dairy-free cheese products to ensure they are truly gluten-free.
Shredded Cheese
Shredded cheese is typically gluten-free, but some brands may contain starch or cellulose to prevent the shreds from sticking together. While the starches/cellulose used usually do not contain gluten, it is important to read the label to ensure the product is gluten-free, especially when purchasing shredded cheese.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is generally gluten-free, but some brands may contain wheat starch or modified food starch derived from wheat. Always check the ingredient list to ensure the cottage cheese you are consuming is gluten-free.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is usually gluten-free, but there is some debate about the gluten content in certain varieties. This is because the mold cultures in blue cheese may be grown on wheat or rye bread. Therefore, it is important to read the ingredients label carefully to ensure the blue cheese you are consuming is gluten-free.
In addition to these specific cheese products, it is always important to read the labels of any packaged or processed cheese before consuming it. Some ingredients that may indicate the presence of gluten include hydrolyzed wheat protein, malt, food starch, powdered cellulose, artificial flavours, fillers, emulsifiers, and spice blends. Look for products with a "certified gluten-free" label to ensure they meet the regulatory requirements for gluten-free food products.
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Gluten-free cheese cooking tips
Gluten-free cooking with cheese can be tricky, as gluten can be added during the manufacturing process. While dairy products made with all-natural ingredients generally don't contain gluten, it's important to always check the labels of packaged or processed cheese. Here are some tips to help you cook with gluten-free cheese:
- Plain and full-fat cheeses are most likely to be gluten-free, while cheeses with additives and low-fat, low-salt, and fat-free varieties are more likely to contain gluten.
- When buying packaged or processed cheese, always read the ingredients list to ensure it doesn't contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat.
- If you're buying cheese from a deli counter, make sure the slicing machine has been cleaned to prevent cross-contact with gluten-containing products.
- Be cautious with shredded cheese, as some brands use starch to prevent the shreds from sticking together. While potato starch is often used, which is gluten-free, some may use wheat-derived cellulose, so check the label.
- Dairy-free cheese may not be gluten-free, as some are made with flour. Always read the ingredients list for these products.
- If you're making a cheese sauce, use a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
- When dining out, take precautions against cross-contamination when eating cheese-containing dishes.
- If you're baking, try using extra mature (extra sharp) cheddar cheese for the best flavour and texture in your gluten-free recipes.
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Gluten-free cheese brands
While most cheeses are naturally gluten-free, some cheese products may contain gluten. This is because gluten-containing ingredients are sometimes added during the manufacturing process as thickeners or stabilizers to increase the shelf life of the product. For this reason, it is important to always read the label before consuming any type of processed food, including cheese.
Some ingredients that may indicate gluten on a food label include hydrolyzed wheat protein, malt, food starch, powdered cellulose, artificial flavor, fillers, emulsifiers, and spice blends. Gluten may also be present in dairy-free cheeses, which are sometimes made with flour, and in shredded cheese, where starch is often added to prevent the shreds from sticking together.
According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, dairy is a food group that does not naturally contain gluten. However, some cheese products could include ingredients that are a source of gluten. The Dairy Good reports that firm, natural cheeses, such as Cheddar and Parmesan, are less likely to contain gluten. Other cheeses that are usually gluten-free include cottage cheese, cream cheese, feta cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella cheese, provolone, ricotta cheese, Swiss cheese, and string cheese or cheese sticks.
Some brands that offer gluten-free cheese options include Sargento, Tilamook, Boar's Head, Bel Giosio, and Frigo. When purchasing cheese from a deli counter, it is important to ensure that the cheese is gluten-free and that the slicing machine has been cleaned to prevent cross-contact with gluten-containing foods. Additionally, when buying packaged cheese, it is recommended to look for the "certified gluten-free" label to ensure that the product contains less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten.
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Gluten-free cheese and cross-contamination
Gluten-free diets are the only effective treatment for people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion. While dairy and cheese are naturally gluten-free, some cheese products may be contaminated with gluten during the manufacturing process, or contain gluten-based additives.
Cheese products that are plain, full-fat, or natural are most likely to be gluten-free. These include Brie, cottage cheese, cream cheese, feta cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, ricotta, and Swiss cheese.
However, gluten-free cheese can become contaminated by gluten-containing products at any stage of the manufacturing process, from the farm to the grocery store. Cross-contamination can occur when gluten-free foods come into contact with gluten-containing ingredients, utensils, or surfaces. This can happen at home, in restaurants, or during the growing, processing, and manufacturing processes. For example, utensils used to spread butter, peanut butter, or other condiments can expose gluten-free foods to gluten. Toasters are another common source of cross-contamination, as crumbs from gluten-containing items can expose gluten-free bread. Celiac disease experts recommend buying a separate toaster for gluten-free items.
To avoid cross-contamination, it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese products, looking out for gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, rye, wheat starch, or modified food starch made from wheat. Dairy-free cheeses may also contain gluten, as they are sometimes made with flour. While most shredded cheese is gluten-free, some may contain starch or cellulose to prevent shreds from sticking together, so it is important to check the label.
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Frequently asked questions
Most natural cheeses are gluten-free and safe for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Cheddar, Parmesan, Gouda, Brie, and blue cheese are typically made from milk, salt, enzymes, and bacteria, none of which contain gluten. Cypress Grove and Cabot Creamery are brands that offer a wide array of gluten-free cheeses.
It is important to be cautious with processed cheeses and cheese products, as they may contain additives or flavorings that include gluten. Cheese spreads or dips may have gluten as an ingredient to help provide a smooth texture. Flavored cheeses may also be at risk of cross-contamination or include gluten in their ingredients.
Yes, Cello offers gluten-free grated cheeses such as Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, and Parmesan.
